Disclaimer: Not mine.

The green, illuminated numbers on the microwave read 3:25 a.m. Grace sat at the kitchen table, unable to remove her gaze from the digits, her folded hands pressed against her lips, her elbows rested on the tabletop before her. Her eyes burned with exhaustion, but she knew it would be futile to try to fall asleep.

Not without him here.

A part of her sneered at herself. How could she become a woman who waited up for a man?

But this was so unlike him. That was the troubling part.

From the time he had moved in, she had never witnessed him behave like he had in the museum. It had made his annoyance the night before seem insignificant and entirely hypocritical.

For all his denial, it hadn't even taken twenty-four hours before he was storming away from her as if she betrayed him.

Was she insane? Did she imagine everything that happened between them? Did she over-analyze it?

She couldn't believe he could touch her like he had if he didn't feel anything for her… or maybe she just didn't want to believe he could.

A quiet knock on the door drew Grace out of her downward spiral of distressing, panicked thoughts. Quickly, she jumped to her feet and padded over, peeking through the peephole to see the cause of her anguish standing on the other side of the door.

Letting out a sigh of utter relief, she rested her head on the cool metal door for a moment, and let the anger finally override the worry.

Pulling the door open, she glared at Loki, whose thin, pale lips were pressed together as he tried not to openly smile, but his green eyes were dancing with entirely too much enjoyment, in her opinion. He had a joyous, 'I know something you don't know' smirk.

She gave him a quick once over.

Not dirty, nor disheveled. No blood or bruises.

Good.

"Where the hell have you been?" she hissed, mindful of the boys sleeping down the hall. "I've been waiting up for hours. I didn't know if you were dead or hurt, lying in freaking alley, bleeding out on the concrete. You got hit by a fucking car the last time you were on your own. Do you have any idea what you've just put me through? You can't just have a temper tantrum and storm off; I have Joey for that! I can't have you doing it, too!"

She paused as he couldn't hold his mirth back any longer, his lips curling up while he gave her a toothy smile.

"Why are you grinning like a fool? You could at least have the decency to look ashamed when I'm trying to yell at you," she said, turning her back on him to walk further into the apartment. "But of course not. Just another male in my life that doesn't listen to a word I say," she huffed.

"Grace."

She stilled at the sound of her name, her heart nearly stopping in her chest before going into overdrive, the fight leaving her with that one word spoken in a low, melodic voice.

"Did you just-," she breathed. "Oh no..."

That cannot be his voice.

It wouldn't be fair to her will power or sanity.

Grace slowly turned back towards him, watching as he stepped fully into the apartment and shut the door behind him.

"Did you just say my name?" she whispered, looking at him warily.

Loki's cocked his head to the side in mock confusion, pointing to himself in supposed shock.

"Yes, you. Don't try to drive me more insane than you already are. Just answer the question."

She closed her eyes as she waited for his answer, as if preparing for a blow, and nearly jumped out of her skin, gasp escaping her lips when she felt his hand slip over her neck to cup the back of her head. She could feel his cool breath brush against her cheek. Her body swayed towards his, but her hands stayed at her sides, unable to bring herself to touch him. She felt him turn his head towards her, his lips brushing against the curve of her jaw.

"Loki, please," she nearly whimpered, her body trembling.

When he whispered her name into her soft skin, she shivered, letting out a long breath at the sound of the his deep, hypnotizing voice, the slight accent that gave elegance to the tone, the slight hoarseness from disuse.

Grace opened her eyes, pulling away enough to gaze into his eyes.

"How did you- What-?"

His lips curled into another grin.

"I don't know. It just came back. So what do you think?"

"It's not fair," she whispered, staring at his lips in bewilderment. His eyebrow cocked at her complaint.

"How so?" he grinned, tilting his head to the side while he nudged her chin up so she met his gaze.

When she did so, she blinked, pulling herself from the thrall he always put her in, and stepped away from him, out of his grasp.

"No. No you can't just get out of this by suddenly speaking, no matter how mesmerizing your voice is. I need some explanations, Loki. As much as I'd love to just stand here with you and pretend that nothing is wrong, I can't."

The smile finally left his face and he straightened his posture.

He knew that this conversation was inevitable, but he had hoped that she would have allowed them to be remain in their little bubble for just a few moments more.

Once the pain had seeped from his body and his voice was returned to him, his first instinct was to find her, talk to her. He honestly did not even feel too put out by his still powerless body. It was possible he hadn't earned them yet, seeing as he'd still happily set someone on fire if they got in his way or hurt his new found family.

But Loki didn't want to lie to her, and he didn't know if he could get through this without resorting to his old ways. He could only hope for her understanding, empathetic nature to rear its head.

"What do you want to know?"

She looked away for a moment, her brow furrowing. He was sure her mind was just absolutely racing, and she was trying to find solid ground for this discussion.

Grace wanted to know everything. His past, how he came to be on that car, what he felt for the boys, for her, everything.

But from the look on his face he was looking forward to her questioning as eagerly as a prisoner awaits torture... or Joey for his trip to the dentist.

First things first.

"Why did you leave the museum like that? You just walked away. I didn't know why, I didn't know where you were going… if you'd come back."

His green eyes darted to the floor before quickly raising back to her forlorn expression.

"I was reminded of my past, something I had not truly let go of despite my presence here. After much deliberation, however, I concluded that this is where I want to be... This is home."

Grace nodded absently. It had taken her months to get used to her new life, and she couldn't punish him for trying to sift through all of his issues. He may have not reacted as politely as she would have liked, but he came back.

"And you're okay now?"

"Yes. I am unaware of the physical changes that occurred to return my ability to speak to me, but at this point, I am not questioning it."

"Gift horse and its mouth, right?"

He stared at her in complete and total confusion.

"Or not," she muttered, "So where do we go from here? I mean, you can finally talk about your life, who you are, and-"

"Grace," he cut in, emerald gaze turning hesitant. "Although I can talk about my past, it doesn't mean I want to. I am not ready for that discussion."

"But I-"

"A few weeks ago you came to me and told me how a woman once looked upon you and saw someone suffering, in need of a second chance. You then asked me if you had any reason to fear me. My answer was no, and it has not changed. I promise you, Grace, despite my behavior earlier, I will never hurt you. Worry you, yes. Frustrate you, undoubtedly, but I will never cause you harm. I know it must feel like I am again a stranger to you now that I can speak, but let me assure you… I am the same man who looks after your boys, who cares for them and their safety, and who only wishes to remain in your life. That is all I want now. I realize this. So please, Grace. Let us move forward, let me move forward with you and leave all the pain and misery of my past behind me."

Grace watched him closely, her doe eyes filled for a moment with conflict before her compassion overran her curiosity.

"Okay," she muttered, nodding. "I can't promise that the boys will let this go, but I will and I will support your decision."

The light came back into his green eyes, and he took another step towards her, only to stop as she put her hands up again.

"But this doesn't mean you can use your voice for evil."

His expression went blank, hesitating at the unexpected and unknowing insight into his past.

"I had a hard enough time holding my own against your eyes and your…" she slid her gaze down his body before dragging it back up, "demeanor before, now you bring that into the mix." She pointed an accusing finger at his mouth. "No. You need to know that you can't just waltz up to me and start talking in a voice that's all smooth and deep and with that accent that I'm sure just drives women both crazy and into yours arms, and just expect me to melt into your arms, because I won't. I have dignity and self-respect."

That damnable smile came back, amusement alive and well in his gaze as he approached her.

Each step forward was met with a retreating one from her as she maneuvered around the couch and towards her closed bedroom door.

"I am an independent, strong woman and I will not be reduced to a giggling schoolgirl by your supernatural good looks and sinful voice. Do you understand what I'm saying?" she said, her back bumping against the door, her gaze quickly filling with him as he cornered her, a predatory gleam in his eyes as he swept his hands up her arms to cup her face, tilting her head up as he lowered his to her.

"Unflinchingly," he answered, lowering his voice to make her shudder from the sound. "Are you finished with your point?"

Her brown eyes focused on his lips, a flicker of apprehension passing through them before she nodded, lifting herself closer to him.

Grace closed her eyes, her breathing deepening as she felt his cool lips just barely brush against hers. Her heart skipped a beat, and she finally reached out, fisting his shirt and pulling him to her, rising up on her toes, and-

"You're home!"

Grace recoiled from Loki at the sound of Joey's shout, her head bouncing off the wood of the door with a loud thump.

"Oww," she muttered, rubbing the sore spot as Loki stepped away from her and turned to the boy.

He nodded.

"You should be in bed, Joey. You have school in the morning."

"I'm thirsty."

"I'll bring you a glass of water, now go back in your room. You can play with Loki tomorrow."

Joey groaned loudly, but padded back into the room.

She shuffled past Loki, heading into the kitchen to get the water then bringing it to the boy. After she shut the boys' door behind her, she glanced at Loki.

"Why didn't you say anything to him?"

"And have them up the rest of the night asking me questions? No, it can wait."

He stepped towards her again, only to have her spring away.

"It really is late, so I should probably go to bed. I have to go to work in the morning and everything."

Loki's brow furrowed.

"When will you not scurry away from me in fear?"

"I'm not afraid of you, Loki. Just the way you make me feel sometimes."

"And how do I make you feel?" he questioned softly.

Their eyes met and held.

"Like I'm falling. It's exhilarating and frightening, and I'm not prepared for it. I crave it, but I can't handle it." She licked her lips and looked away from him. "Not yet, at least."

Loki nodded solemnly.

"You're in luck, then. Patience is one of the few virtues I possess, which means this is good night, Grace."

"Okay," she whispered, watching his pass by her to go into her room. "Loki?"

He glanced over his shoulder.

"I really am glad you came back home. I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't."

Her confession brought another soft smile to his lips.

"Thank you, Grace."

"For what?"

"Reassuring me of my choice. I shall see you in the morning. Sleep well."

Grace watched him disappear into the bedroom.

Loki hadn't revealed his voice to the boys until they came home from school, since he knew the revelation would have completely prevented them from getting to class on time, and an irate Grace was not something he had wanted to deal with.

Ever.

The sight of both boys standing before him, eyes wide, mouths hanging open, frozen in shock would probably always cause him to chuckle.

Jack had immediately started firing questions at him, while Joey merely stared at him critically before finally saying "Huh… you don't sound like an alien…"

After the initial shock and awe wore off, the boys treated him the same way. Loki had assured them that the reason for his disappearance had merely been a need for a long walk. He couldn't help but be thankful for their reactions, knowing his actions had put his position within this family at risk.

Days continued to pass and Loki was able to dodge a majority of pestering questions from the boys. Grace had continued to support his decision and usually managed to steer the conversation away from his past, but she was hardly around all the time during the week.

He could tell that her admission of her fear of her feelings was still weighing on her. She seemed restless around him, like she was on the verge of saying something to him, but always pulling back instead. He didn't know what to say to her to help her, so he merely watched her, being patient.

Grace knew what she had to do. She just couldn't bring herself to do it, but what choice did she have?

Despite everything that had happened between them, despite how patient he was being, how gentle he always was with her and her issues, she didn't think she could do it without making it incredibly painful for herself.

The deadline was this weekend.

It was supposed to happen this weekend.

But how was she supposed to even bring it up?

It was Wednesday evening; she had gotten out of work a little early, and the whole family was sitting in the bookstore.

The boys were working on their homework, and Grace was supposed to work on her continuing education for her recertification, but instead she was staring at Loki, who stood by a cart of books, organizing them.

"So then, Eduardo turns out to be the father, even though he had left his wife for the gardener's daughter, who is ten years younger than him. The gardener, Ricardo, finds out and just goes completely loco, but who can blame him, you know?" Betty said, fluttering around the man as she regaled him with tales of her Spanish soap operas.

"I thought Ricardo was the mailman," Loki questioned.

"No. Ricardo is the gardener, Consuelo is the mailman who was sleeping with Eduardo's wife at the beginning of the season. I know you just started watching, but try to keep up, will you? I can't keep filling you in when you miss an episode."

Loki sighed and rolled his eyes.

Do not judge him. He had entirely too much time during the day with Grace at work and the boys at school. It wasn't as if he could get a job, they didn't have enough money for him to go gallivanting around the city, and Betty, for all her annoyances, was the only person he knew. So he might have started spending time in the bookstore, trying to read, but the fiery, passionate Latin arguments on the television near the register drew him in… he was powerless to the siren song of telenovelas.

"The entire program proves to be an nearly incestuous, overacted dramatization of sins compacted into a fifty minute time frame."

"But you love it."

"A guilty pleasure, I assure you."

"That your only guilty pleasure?" she asked.

Loki quickly glanced at Grace before clearing his throat and raising an eyebrow.

"I have no idea to what you are referring."

"Oh please, you're many things, but stupid is not one of them. The sexual tension between the two of you puts any couple from Con Corazones de Fuego to shame."

"Focus on your stories, woman, not on my relationship with Grace."

"So it's a relationship?"

"It's a friendship."

"But you said relationship."

"For the benefit of syntactic and conversational symmetry."

"I think you two are in love, but are both too chickenshit to do anything about it."

"Well then it is a good thing that I could not possibly care less about what your opinion is pertaining to my association with Grace."

Betty sighed and stared at him for a long moment.

"You know," she said, "just because you can speak now, doesn't mean you should."

"Perhaps it would be best if you heed your own advice," he replied, earning an annoyed sound from her.

"Those books aren't going to shelve themselves," she said, narrowing her eyes at him.

"Indeed," Loki smirked, pushing the cart down the aisle as he made his exit from the older woman.

Grace watched him, biting her lower lip as Betty approached her.

"I don't know what you see in him."

"Do you need your prescription changed?"

Betty shook her head, throwing her hands up in exasperation before heading into the back to check inventory.

With her gone, Grace got to her feet and followed Loki, finding him tucked away in the corner.

"Do you have a minute to talk?" she asked, pulling the trigger on this soon to be awkward conversation.

"For you, I have at least three."

She laughed quietly and stepped closer to the cart, her fingers reaching out to run down the spines of the texts.

"I have to ask you something… well it's more a favor really. I'm sure you won't want to do it, and I don't blame you. It's just I can't do this alone. Normally, I'm perfectly fine on my own, solving whatever problem comes my way, but not this time. I'm so sorry for putting you in this position, but you're honestly my only hope. I just pray that you'll forgive me once it's over."

Loki's brow furrowed, and he set the book in his hands down, finally giving her his complete and total attention.

"Is everything okay?" he asked, concerned.

"Far from it."

"What happened? Are you hurt?"

She shook her head, wincing slightly.

Just say it.

Raising her gaze, she stared at him while she gathered her courage and finally spoke.

"I need you to be my date to Katie's wedding."

A/N: I'm not entirely happy with this chapter, but my computer locked and shut down before I had a chance to save it after a few hours of writing, so my patience with it just disappeared. Sorry if the last half seems rushed, I was just tired of typing. Anyway, I guarantee that the next one will be better. As always, thank you for the reviews/alerts/favorites. I try to respond to everyone who reviews, but sometimes I get lost in the list, so I apologize if you were left out. It's nothing personal. Please don't let that hold you back from reviewing. I love the feedback!